Brexit impact on financial services: second edition

Global economics

ACCA author

Narayanan Vaidyanathan

Global economics

ACCA author

Narayanan Vaidyanathan

A year before the UK exits the European Union, the financial services (FS) industry is working hard to assess the potential impacts of Brexit – and to plan accordingly.

Many professional accountants working within the financial services sector will play a crucial role in the practical implementation of post Brexit policies – our full report provides policymakers and advisers with important insights as Brexit negotiations continue.

The risk factor one year on

The difficult and protracted nature of the Brexit negotiations has taken its toll on the FS sector. Almost half (49%) the representatives of the FS firms surveyed stated that the risks posed by Brexit today are greater than the opportunities; just 14% believe the opposite.

That negative imbalance has increased markedly since last year, when fewer believed risks exceeded opportunities (40%), and more believed the reverse (16%).

Nonetheless, some firms seem to view Brexit as a short-term headwind instead of a long-term, systemic threat.

One-third (33%) expect that in five years' time the opportunities presented by Brexit will be greater than the risks – finally outnumbering the 32% that expect the opposite.

A look at sub-sectors

FS is a diverse industry, comprising businesses with very different characteristics and considerations.

Retail banking

In line with last year's report, many retail banks are still concerned that communication from government and regulators about their proposed approach to Brexit is insufficient or unclear.

Corporate banking

Corporate banks are particularly concerned that a no-deal Brexit or leaving the EU without a transition agreement would damage their businesses.

Investment banking

Investment banks' biggest concerns about Brexit centre on market access: how will they be able to make cross border transfers once the UK has left the EU? And to what extent will they be forced to set up new subsidiaries in key markets, or at least increase their presence on the ground?

Asset management

Many asset managers have built significant retail and institutional funds businesses throughout the EU, so they do not want any Brexit outcome that makes it more difficult to operate and develop these businesses.

Fintech

Significantly more fintech companies than those in other sectors say that Brexit will present more risks than opportunities than vice versa, even in five years' time.

Prepare, prepare, prepare

With March 2019 just a year away, the race is on to secure a favourable Brexit outcome for FS.

Resolving the uncertainties of policy and implementation will help firms across the industry plan more effectively for a post-Brexit environment.

The challenge is great, but firms that prepare for and rise to it till be well placed to continue prospering – and to maintain the world-leading status of the UK’s FS industry.